Zoology: mammals (mammalogy) Books

Book SynopsisAn exploration of the mysterious Scottish Wildcat--Britain''s rarest mammal, and one of the most endangered carnivores in the world.These cats are fierce and very wild--completely untameable. Just like domestic cats prowling in the garden, wildcats hunt for a wide range of prey, from mice and voles to grouse, rabbits and red squirrels. Their kittens are born in March, and quickly begin to learn key hunting skills. Wildcats have endured centuries of habitat loss; they have been hunted for fur and been killed as vermin, and are threatened by inbreeding with domestic moggies, along with other issues such as disease and vehicle collisions.In this book, Marianne Taylor--author of the award-winning Way of the Hare-- seeks out the beautiful and enigmatic Scottish Wildcat in a rich narrative interwoven with what we know about the cat''s biology and history in Britain. The Highland Tiger is a great read for anyone with an interest in BritaiTrade ReviewThere is some intriguing material about the folklore around the Scottish wildcat... The material on the difference between cats and dogs [...] is fascinating. -- Stuart Kelly * Scotland on Sunday *In part, Taylor's book charts a journey across Scotland tracking "the Highland tiger" and in part it's a reflection on the wildcat's cultural significance and what needs to be done to save it. -- Patrick Galbraith * The Times *Table of ContentsPrologue - gatita fiera 1. A Cat in Context - evolution, relationship 2. Wild Tales - myth and legend Trip 1: Speyside, 2013 3. Born to Kill - biology of cats and wildcats Trip 2: Ardnamurchan, 2013 4. Life Unseen - how wildcats live Trip 3: Speyside, 2014 5. A Bloody History - humans and wildcats in conflict Trip 4: Speyside and Beyond, 2015 6. Of Cats Tame and Wild - wildcats and domestic cats Trip 5: Ardanmurchan, 2016 7. Salvage Operation - conservation efforts to date Trip 6: Speyside, 2018 8. An Uncertain Future - population, projects Acknowledgements Further Information Index

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Book SynopsisAn essential companion for anyone visiting or hiking in the Alpine regions of France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Slovenia, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The Alps remain one of Europe''s foremost tourist destinations not just for its world-famous scenery, but also its remarkable and diverse wildlife. Field Guide to Alpine Wildlife covers all of the animals and plants you are likely to see on a trip to this extraordinary place, including mammals such as Mouflon and Ibex, birds like the Bearded Vulture, White-winged Snowfinch and Wallcreeper, and a diversity of insects and wild flowers that will stop even seasoned wildlife-watchers in their tracks. It is packed with photography of each species, with photos carefully chosen to help pinpoint key identification criteria. Portable and pocket-friendly crucial for all travellers in this mountainous region this book is an essential companion for anyone visiting or walking through this spectacular part of central Europe.Table of ContentsIntroduction Animals Mammals Birds Reptiles and Amphibians Fish Insects Plants Ferns, Mosses and others Trees and Shrubs Flowers and Grasses Index

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Book SynopsisIslands are special because they promote unique forms  of life,  and large proportions of the species they hold are found  nowhere else on Earth. The mammals of the South-west Pacific are no exception, with many distributed only across single islands or archipelagos.Mammals of the South-west Pacific details the natural history for more than 180 species of marsupials, bats and rodents from 24 Pacific nations and territories. Species profiles are accompanied by distribution maps, illustrations and photographs many being the first images ever captured for the species. By combining available knowledge with unpublished data collected over years of field work, Mammals of the South-west Pacific forms a definitive guide to the mammals from this region. Table of ContentsAbout the authors. Preface. Acknowledgements. Foreword. Introduction. Species Accounts. Geology. Flora and Vegetation. Human Presence, Translocation and Extinction. Paleontology. Zoogeography. Conservation of South-west Pacific Mammals. Monotremata. Dasyuromorphia. Peramelemorphia. Diprotodontia. Rodentia. Chiroptera. Introduced Species. Glossary. Appendix A: Annotated Faunal list for the nations and territories of the region

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive and richly illustrated field guide to the mammals of the Western Palearctic.Fully revised and updated, this major work presents all species that occur in the Western Palearctic, serving as the perfect field guide to the great diversity of mammals in the region. This new edition presents 86 new species, including 40 cetaceans, and reports on the latest scientific advances and taxonomic changes.Species accounts are concise and authoritative, giving information on size, distribution, habitat, behaviour, reproduction and feeding. Each account is supported by distribution maps and superb colour illustrations. The book features over 125 plates, comprising more than 650 colour species artworks. Variation between the sexes is illustrated, and anatomical diagrams including tooth arrays are provided to assist identification.Field Guide to Mammals of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East is the only guide you'll need to identify any mammal across the Western Palearctic.

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Book SynopsisThe most up-to-date and comprehensive handbook to the region's mammals, illustrated with exceptional photography. Madagascar is home to one of the most remarkable assemblages of mammals on earth. Millions of years of isolation has resulted in the evolution of a suite of species that are exceptional for two major reasons. Firstly, every native non-volant species (approximately 210 species) is endemic. No other island or place on earth boasts such a combination of species richness and endemism. And secondly, these mammals have evolved an extraordinary diversity of body forms and lifestyles often displaying significant convergence with forms elsewhere but also at times evolving utterly unique features. Handbook of the Mammals of Madagascar describes all 217 native species, including bats, tenrecs, mice and lemurs, and a small number of introduced, non-native species. Species accounts are subdivided into sections covering description and identification, habitat and distribution (includTrade ReviewTruly spectacular, an immense achievement. The photos are awesome and it’s rare to see a guide book that is also so meticulous in providing available information on life history and biology. -- Dr PJ StephensonA fascinating and beautifully illustrated book. A cherished resource. -- Dr David KrauseTable of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction How to Use the Handbook Biogeography How Did Mammals Arrive in Madagascar? Regions and Habitats of Madagascar Lowland Rainforest and Littoral Forest Mid-Elevation Montane Rainforest High-Elevation Montane Rainforest Sclerophyllous Forest and High Mountain Thicket Seasonal Humid Forest (Sambirano) Dry Deciduous Forest Subarid Thorn Scrub or Spiny Forest Mangroves Grasslands and Palm Savannahs THE MAMMALS OF MADAGASCAR Overview Taxonomy The Species Conundrum Classification of the Extant Mammals of Madagascar Tenrecs, Order Afrosoricida Family Tenrecidae Subfamily Tenrecinae Subfamily Geogalinae Subfamily Oryzorictinae Bats, Order Chiroptera Suborder Pteropodiformes (Yinpterochiroptera) Family Pteropodidae Family Rhinonycteridae Family Hipposideridae Suborder Vespertilioniformes (Yangoterochiroptera) Family Emballonuridae Family Nycteridae Family Myzopodidae Family Molossidae Family Miniopteridae Family Vespertilionidae Lemurs, Order Primates Infraorder Lemuriformes Family Cheirogaleidae Family Lepilemuridae Family Lemuridae Family Indriidae Infraorder Chiromyiformes Family Daubentoniidae Malagasy Carnivorans, Order Carnivora Family Eupleridae Subfamily Eupleriinae Subfamily Galidiinae Rodents, Order Rodentia Family Nesomyidae Subfamily Nesomyinae Non-Native Mammals Non-Native Rodents Old World Rats and Mice Non-Native Carnivorans True Civets Domestic Dogs Feral Cats Non-Native Insectivores Shrews Hoofed Mammals Wild Pigs Domestic Stock Deer Threats to Madagascar’s Mammals Habitat Loss and Fragmentation Habitat Degradation Mining Operations Hunting and Bushment The Illegal Pet Trade Intrusion by Non-Native Species Conservation and the Island’s Protected Areas Parks and Reserves Important Mammal Watching Sites Rainforest Areas Deciduous Forest Areas Spiny Forest Areas The Extinct Mammal Fauna Middle Jurassic Mammals Late Cretaceous Mammals Quaternary Mammals Order Bibymalagasia Order Afrosoricida Order Chiroptera Order Primates Infraorder Lemuriformes Order Carnivora Order Artiodactyla Order Rodentia Classification of Extinct Subfossil Mammals Glossary Species Checklists General Bibliography Photo Credits Index

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Book SynopsisFrom a modest beginning in the form of a little shrew-like, nocturnal, insect eating ancestor that lived 200 million years ago, mammals evolved into the huge variety of different kinds of animals we see today. Many species are still small, and follow the lifestyle of the ancestor, but others have adapted to become large grazers and browsers, like the antelopes, cattle, rhinos, and elephants, or the lions, hyaenas, and wolves that prey upon them. Yet others evolved to be specialist termite eaters able to dig into the hardest mounds, or tunnel creating burrowers, and a few took to the skies as gliders and the bats. Many live partly in the water, such as otters, beavers, and hippos, while whales and dugongs remain permanently in the seas, incapable of ever emerging onto land.In this Very Short Introduction T. S. Kemp explains how it is a tenfold increase in metabolic rate - endothermy or warm-bloodedness - that lies behind the high levels of activity, and the relatively huge brain associated with complex, adaptable behaviour that epitomizes mammals. He describes the remarkable fossil record, revealing how and when the mammals gained their characteristics, and the tortuous course of their subsequent evolution, during which many bizarre forms such as sabre-toothed cats, and 30-tonne, 6-m high browsers arose and disappeared. Describing the wonderful adaptations that mammals evolved to suit their varied modes of life, he also looks at those of the mainly arboreal primates that culminated ultimately in Homo sapiens.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewMammals: A Very Short Introduction is part of a series of very short introductions published by Oxford University Press. These are gateway books, designed to draw readers into a topic and invite them to dive deeper if the topic is of interest. In this regard, Tom Kemp has done our profession a great service. We should all have a short stack of these books available to hand out to undergraduates we hope to recruit to the study of mammalogy ... In short, this very short introduction to mammals is a welcome addition to the ... series. * Christopher J Yahnke, Mammology *Tom Kemp is the world's senior authority on the origin and evolution of mammals, and an excellent writer to boot. I very much recommend this concise book as an apt introduction to the palaeobiology of our own peculiar branch on the Tree of Life * Dr Robert Asher, Curator of Vertebrates, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge *Table of ContentsREFERENCES; FURTHER READING; INDEX

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Book SynopsisWhat makes a mammal a mammal? The answer is more complicated than you think!I, Mammal is a history of mammals and their ancestors and of how science came to grasp mammalian evolution. After a misdirected football left new father Liam Drew clutching a uniquely mammalian part of his anatomy, he decided to find out more. Considering himself as a mammal first and a human second, Liam delves into ancient biological history to understand what it means to be mammalian.In his humorous and engaging style, Liam explores the different characteristics that distinguish mammals from other types of animals. He charts the evolution of milk, warm blood and burgeoning brains, and examines the emergence of sophisticated teeth, exquisite ears, and elaborate reproductive biology, plus a host of other mammalian innovations. Entwined are tales of zoological peculiarities and reflections on how being a mammal has shaped the author''s life. In celebrating our mammalian-Trade ReviewA splendid evolutionary study ... Drew is a wry guide to wonders such as the evolution of the scrotum and the epic journey of marsupial newborns. -- NatureAn excellent combination of scientific principle and comedic wit that will appeal to biology fans and non-scientists alike. An excellent read. * How It Works *A witty romp through evolution ... I, Mammal is just the sort of book that can spark a love of nature and an appreciation for the ever-changing, eternally correcting march of science. * Science *Quotable, heartfelt and frequently fun. * The Biologist *Drew's immersion makes one proud to be a mammal. * Booklist *Drew vividly conveys the excitement of scientific discovery [and] combines detailed technical information with interesting natural-history tidbits. There's much to be savoured by scientists and nonscientists alike. * Publishers Weekly *From ice-sliding bison and tail-biting platypuses to cats and bats, hedgehogs and hooded seals, I, Mammal will change the way you think about hairy, milk-making, warm-blooded animals (yourself included). This carnival of mammals is science writing at its most funny, companionable and smart. -- Helen Scales, marine biologist, broadcaster and author of Spirals in TimeNot only fun and instructive but also wonderfully written, I, Mammal takes us on an erudite journey through mammalian evolution. Liam Drew effortlessly weaves science together with all manner of often very funny anecdotes. Reading it will be a pleasure for scientists and non-specialists alike. -- René Hen, Professor of Neuroscience and Psychiatry, Columbia UniversityTable of ContentsIntroduction: My Family and Other Mammals Chapter 1 : The Descent of Man(’s Gonads) Chapter 2 : Life on the Edge of Mammaldom Chapter 3 : Y, I’m Male Chapter 4 : The Mammalian Birds and Bees Chapter 5 : The Next Generation Chapter 6 : Afterbirth Before Birth Chapter 7 : The Milky Way Chapter 8 : Kids, Behave! Chapter 9 : Bones, Teeth, Genes and Trees Chapter 10 : It’s Getting Hot in Here, Put Your Coat On Chapter 11 : Scents and Sensibility Chapter 12 : A Multilayered Brain Teaser Chapter 13 : This Mammalian Life Afterword: Mammals Selected Reading Acknowledgement Index

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Book SynopsisThrough stunning images and insightful narrative, Fenland Nature celebrates the natural and cultural history of a unique, dynamic and dramatic human-made landscape. From vast flocks of visiting wildfowl, to rare and specialised plants and insects, from the Mesolithic to the present day with an eye on the future.

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Book Synopsis‘Steve Brusatte, the author of The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs, brings mammals out from the shadow of their more showy predecessors in a beautifully written book that . . . makes the case for them as creatures who are just as engaging as dinosaurs.’ – The Sunday Times, ‘Best Books For Summer’The passing of the age of the dinosaurs allowed mammals to become ascendant. But mammals have a much deeper history. They – or, more precisely, we – originated around the same time as the dinosaurs, over 200 million years ago; mammal roots lie even further back, some 325 million years.Over these immense stretches of geological time, mammals developed their trademark features: hair, keen senses of smell and hearing, big brains and sharp intelligence, fast growth and warm-blooded metabolism, a distinctive line-up of teeth (canines, incisors, premolars, molars), mammary glands that mothers use to nourish their babies with milk, qualities that have underlain their success story.Out of this long and rich evolutionary history came the mammals of today, including our own species and our closest cousins. But today’s 6,000 mammal species - the egg-laying monotremes including the platypus, marsupials such as kangaroos and koalas that raise their tiny babies in pouches, and placentals like us, who give birth to well-developed young – are simply the few survivors of a once verdant family tree, which has been pruned both by time and mass extinctions.In The Rise and Reign of the Mammals, palaeontologist Steve Brusatte weaves together the history and evolution of our mammal forebears with stories of the scientists whose fieldwork and discoveries underlie our knowledge, both of iconic mammals like the mammoths and sabre-toothed tigers of which we have all heard, and of fascinating species that few of us are aware of.For what we see today is but a very limited range of the mammals that have existed; in this fascinating and ground-breaking book, Steve Brusatte tells their – and our – story.Trade ReviewTerrific . . . a saga on the grandest scale . . . beautifully told . . . Brusatte brings well-known extinct species, the sabre-toothed tigers and the woolly mammoths, thrillingly back to life * The Times, 'Book of the Week' *Nothing short of a thriller, revealing the luck, evolutionary twists and near-apocalyptical catastrophes that have led to the mammals of today, us included . . . Fascinating revelations come thick and fast * Guardian *Stands out for its brilliant balance of scientific detail and lively, efficient storytelling * New Scientist *Deeply researched and entertaining . . . Brusatte’s real achievement is to show us that, for all its sheer weight of numbers and impact, Homo sapiens is just ‘a single point, among millions of species over more than 200 million years. -- Mark Cocker * The Spectator *Gorgeous book . . . fantastic writing, brilliant science. -- Alice Roberts, author of AncestorsRiveting . . . A real page-turner that proves science fact is more amazing than science fiction. * The Sun *The epic story of how our mammalian cousins evolved to fly, walk, swim, and walk on two legs . . . [Brusatte's] deep knowledge infuse[s] this lively journey of millions of years of evolution with infectious enthusiasm. -- Neil Shubin, bestselling author of Your Inner Fish and University of Chicago paleontologistA fascinating account of how mammals survived the great extinction that destroyed the dinosaurs and evolved to their current position of dominance. A worthy sequel to [Steve Brusatte's] The Rise and Fall of Dinosaurs. -- Venki Ramakrishnan, 2009 Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry and Cambridge University biologist

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Book SynopsisAn introduction to the biology, behaviour and classification of bats.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisAn essential guide to assist those surveying for water voles, whether as a professional ecological consultant, a researcher or simply an interested amateur. This book provides detailed descriptions of all the habitats used by water voles, including ideal habitats as well as less typical places, with annotated photos to help the surveyor home in on just the right areas to look. It also contains a comprehensive photographic reference guide to assist in the correct identification of water vole field signs, and explains how to distinguish them from those of similar species. Tips on where and how to search for field signs are also provided, along with guidance on how best to record survey data.Trade ReviewThe book is very much my type of book and it will make a great reference addition to my office bookshelf. All too often in my opinion, photographs get a back seat in ecology related literature... nothing beats a book that the field based individual such as me can relate to. -- Simon Booth, photographer and professional ecologistTable of ContentsAcknowledgements 1. Introduction A bit of background Personal experience Legal protection in the UK Competence 2. Habitat Where do you find water voles? What does ‘ideal’ habitat for water voles look like? Habitat requirements Dry areas for burrows or above-ground nests Herbaceous vegetation as food and cover Water How to assess likely value of habitat Water voles in terrestrial habitat 3. What does a water vole look like? 4. Looking for field signs Different field signs When to search Where to search How to search Other factors to consider Health, safety and biosecurity 5. Droppings and latrines Characteristics of water vole droppings Latrines How many droppings constitute a latrine? What can latrines tell us? Terrestrial, or fossorial, water voles Rat droppings Field vole and bank vole droppings DNA analysis 6. Feeding remains 7. Burrows Characteristics of ‘active’ water vole burrows Burrows of similar species Detailed examination of burrows 8. Nests 9. Other field signs Footprints Runs through the vegetation 10. Other species Droppings Footprints 11. Recording the information What information needs to be recorded? How to record the information What happens next? Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThis ground-breaking volume covers 42 species of terrestrial mammal – from the red deer to the pygmy shrew, from the pine marten to the hedgehog. The subject is introduced for the first time as a single overarching field of study, including guidance on survey methods, analysis of sound recordings and appropriate software. The book covers species in Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. Containing over 300 figures in total, each species is considered in detail, with specific spectrogram examples. Furthermore, the book allows the reader access to a downloadable sound library containing more than 250 recordings. The authors have extensive experience and expertise in bioacoustics, including in the sound identification of mammals. They are also heavily involved in creating tools that use machine-learning algorithms to recognise mammal species from their calls. A real ear-opener, this will be the essential handbook for many years to come, serving ecological consultants, academics, conservationists, hobbyists and serious mammal recorders alike.Table of ContentsForeword Preface Acknowledgements About the Authors Preamble About the Sound Library 1. Introduction & Context 2. Survey Equipment & Field Techniques 3. Analysis of Acoustic Recordings 4. Overview of the Species Group-specific Chapters 5. Even-toed Ungulates – Deer & Wild Boar 6. Carnivores (Including Mustelids) 7. Lagomorphs – Hares & Rabbits 8. Rodents – Squirrels & Beavers 9. Rodents – Rats, Mice, Voles & Dormice 10. Insectivores – Hedgehogs, Moles & Shrews Appendix I – Glossary Appendix II – Case Studies References Index

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Book SynopsisMammalogists, paleontologists, and marine scientists will find Berta's insights absorbing, while developmental and molecular biologists, geneticists, and ecologists exploring integrative research approaches will benefit from her fresh perspective.Trade ReviewMammalogists, paleontologists, and marine scientists will find Berta’s insights absorbing, while developmental and molecular biologists, geneticists, and ecologists exploring integrative research approaches will benefit from her fresh perspective.—Birdbooker ReportThe Rise of Marine Mammals is an impressive introduction to its subject and an important contribution to zoological literature.—TLSOverall, this is a thorough review of the evolution of marine mammals, ideal for students of vertebrate paleontology who wish to study the taxonomy of these groups and for professionals who may use it as an up-to-date reference work. The volume is an excellent addition to paleontology collections.—ChoiceThis is a beautifully illustrated, comprehensive introduction to the fossil record of some of the most interesting evolutionary transformations within mammals . . . The Rise of Marine Mammals is a fact-filled, well-illustrated volume that will be much appreciated by anyone who is looking to learn about where, when, and how these fascinating animals arose.—Mark D. Uhen, George Mason University, Quarterly Review of BiologyThe Rise of Marine Mammals covers the breadth of marine mammal evolution while highlighting the key details. It discusses what we can learn from the fossils within a context that makes the reader feel as if he or she is part of making these discoveries . . . This visually stunning, yet informative, book should serve to inspire its readers—not only to give them a sense of awe and wonder at the marvelous diversity of marine mammals in eons gone by, but also to push them to preserve and steward the remarkable creatures that live in our seas today.—Ryan M. Bebej, Calvin College, Perspectives on Science and Christian FaithTable of ContentsPrefaceAcknowledgments1. Setting the Stage2. The Oldest Marine Mammals3. Later- Diverging Whales4. Aquatic Carnivorans5. Crown Sirenians and Their Desmostylian Relatives6. Aquatic Sloths and Recent Occupants of the Sea, Sea Otters and Polar Bears7. Diversity Changes through TimeClassification of Fossil Marine MammalsGlossaryReferencesIndex

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Book SynopsisThe fascinating lives and puzzling demise of some of the largest animals on earth.Trade Review"Ross McPhee's End of the Megafauna is a marvellous survey of what we know about the magnificent creatures who shared our world just 12,000 years ago, and he is brilliantly served by the superb illustrations of Australian artist Peter Schouten. There are also excellent maps and diagrams, helping you remember the difference between your Pleistocene and Holocene. The book is also a compelling, sometimes demanding and scientifically rigorous detective story." -- The Sunday Times"Palaeomammalogist Ross MacPhee examines the theories, such as human over-hunting, climate change, emergent infections and food-web disruption; articulates the ongoing debate around them and what that might tell us about today’s biodiversity crisis; and takes a look at de-extinction. Packed with evocative artwork by Peter Schouten." -- Nature"In End of the Megafauna, palaeontologist Ross MacPhee explores the current hypotheses, weighing up the evidence with academic rigour and delivering it with pop-science clarity." -- BBC Wildlife"Delving far deeper into the subject matter than anything you would have likely experienced before, this is a fascinating examination of a long-forgotten past and proof that giant life didn't end with the dinosaurs. A great gift for those who like their history with bite." -- How It Works"... highly readable book..." -- The British Association of Nature Conservationists Magazine

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Book SynopsisOtters by Nicola Chester is an accessible and lively account of an intriguing and much-loved animal that, surprisingly, is still endangered and rarely seen despite a recent resurgence that has seen it expand from the remote countryside into our cities.Nicola's charming, informed text brings this elusive and exciting mammal into sharper focus revealing what an otter is, and how they live, feed, play and breed. Nicola reflects on how otters exist in our imaginations culturally and how that has changed over the years. She also examines the many challenges otters have faced, exposing what brought them to the brink of extinction, and explores the challenges we face in trying to find and watch otters in the wild.Each Spotlight title is carefully designed to introduce readers to the lives and behaviour of our favourite birds and mammals.Trade ReviewA slim, stylish volume. * Scotland Outdoors *Table of Contents1) Meet the Otter 2) A Riverine Life 3) Family Play 4) Tarka 5) Mij and Mouse 6) Threats 7) Conservation 8) Spotting an Otter 9) Salty dogs 10) An Ottery Glossary Index

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Book SynopsisHero or villain? Few animals divide opinion like the Red Fox. This most successful of the world''s wild canids has lived alongside people from time immemorial. Celebrated by some for its resourcefulness and lush pelt, reviled by others for plundering chicken runs and overturning bins, it has worked its way deep into Western. Behind the folklore and tabloid headlines, however, lies a remarkable natural history success story. In Spotlight: Foxes Mike Unwin explores how the Red Fox''s versatility has allowed it to thrive across the northern hemisphere, from desert and mountain to farmland and urban jungle. This informative book covers all aspects of the Red Fox biology and lifestyle, including hunting and caching food, defending a territory, raising a litter and communication strategies. Finally, it examines the complex, often troubled relationship that the Fox has enjoyed and both endured with humankind, and suggests what the future might hold. The Spotlight series Table of ContentsMeet the Red Fox Ancestors and Relatives Grabbing a Bite Passing It On Getting Along Dangers and Disease City Slickers Foxes and People Watching Foxes Glossary Further Reading and Resources Image Credits Acknowledgements

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Book Synopsis'Moose' features the biology and natural history of the northwood's largest land mammal. Illustrated with the exquisite photographs of famed wilderness photographer Mark Raycroft, this book celebrates this magnificent and elusive forest giant. Weighing up to 800 kilos, the moose is the largest living member of the deer family. It ranges across northern Canada and Alaska and inhabits Scandinavia and Russia. Of the seven subspecies of moose, four of them live in North America. It's been estimated that 1 million moose live on that continent. They inhabit the northern deciduous and mixed coniferous forests in the east, the aspen parklands of the midwest, the vast boreal forests that span the continent, the northern taiga and up into the southern fringes of the tundra, where dwarf willow shrubs are abundant. Moose have been re-introduced to Montana, Minnesota and New England as well as Newfoundland. The name 'moose' is derived from the Algonquin native word 'mooswa', which means, 'animal that strips bark from trees', or 'twig-eater' and first appeared in the English language in the 1600s. Moose can run up to 35 miles an hour, swim effortlessly for long periods of time, dive as deep as 6 metres and stay submerged for as long as a minute. Their considerable weight and awesome antlers also make them a spectacle to behold. But despite their physical grandeur, moose face challenges from encroaching human activity and a warming climate: more southerly species are moving ever northward where the animals seek out the cooler climes that they need to thrive. Chapters include: * Moose Ecology; * Moose Species Coast To Coast; * The Antler Cycle; * The Rut; * Moose Conservation and the Future; * Photographing Moose.

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive guide to the calls of the 44 species of bat currently known to occur in Europe. Following on from the popular British Bat Calls by Jon Russ, this new book draws on the expertise of more than forty specialist authors to substantially update all sections, further expanding the volume to include sound analysis and species identification of all European bats. Aimed at volunteers and professional alike, topics include the basics of sound, echolocation in bats, an introduction to acoustic communication, equipment used and call analysis. For each species, detailed information is given on distribution, emergence, flight and foraging behaviour, habitat, echolocation calls – including parameters of common measurements – and social calls. Calls are described for both heterodyne and time expansion/full spectrum systems. A simple but complete echolocation guide to all species is provided for beginners, allowing them to analyse call sequences and arrive at the most likely species or group. The book also includes access to a downloadable library of over 450 calls presented as sonograms in the species sections.Trade ReviewBat Calls of Britain and Europe is a scholarly publication that will primarily be of interest and value to bat biologists who conduct acoustic-related field research. This is true regardless of whether their research is conducted in Britain, mainland Europe, or elsewhere. -- Danny A. Brass * National Speleological Society (NSS) News *Identifying species from bat calls is a complex business, and the book tackles its responsibilities to both novice and experienced bat workers with impressive thoroughness...An essential reference, and there can be hardly anyone who will not learn something new from the explanatory chapters. -- Bob Cornes * Bedfordshire Bat Group *The new bat calls ‘bible’ and an essential companion for anyone interested in acoustic diagnosis of bat calls, from ‘citizen scientists’ like me, to seasoned professional researchers. Unreservedly recommended to all. -- Steven Budd * Mammal News *The book is a real identification tool and undoubtedly an invaluable resource for anyone serious about bat identification and survey. It’s certainly a book I will be returning to time and time again. -- Stephanie Holt * Country-Side, British Naturalists’ Association magazine *This skillfully edited book by Jon Russ is a “must have” for hobbyist and professional bat researchers in Europe and provides useful and interesting information for bat workers elsewhere. …A hidden gem that makes this book even more valuable to anyone working with bat calls is the downloadable full-spectrum call library: the more than 450 fully annotated echolocation and social calls of the bats of the region make this one of the most accessible and useful bat call libraries. If you are interested in or work with bat acoustic data in Europe or Britain, I guarantee you will regularly refer to this volume and its companion call library. -- Eran Amichai * Quarterly Review of Biology *Table of Contents1. Introduction 2. The Basics of Sound: Properties, Acquiring, Representing and Describing 3. Echolocation 4. An Introduction to Acoustic Communication in Bats 5. Equipment 6. Call Analysis 7. A Basic Echolocation Guide to Species 93 8. The Bat Species References and Further Reading Index

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Book SynopsisKnowledge of bat echolocation and social calls, and identification using ultrasonic ‘bat detectors’ and sound analysis software, has grown significantly in the last decade. In this practical guide Jon Russ and contributors (Kate Barlow, Philip Briggs & Sandie Sowler) present the latest information in a clear and concise manner. The book covers topics including the properties of sound, how bats use sound, bat detectors and recording devices, analysis software, and call analysis. For each species found in the British Isles, information is given on distribution, emergence times, flight and foraging behaviour, habitat, echolocation calls including parameters for common measurements, and social calls. Calls are described in the context of the different technologies employed to record them (heterodyne, frequency division and time expansion). Various sonograms for each species are displayed in BatSound and AnaLookW. A species echolocation guide is included.Trade ReviewIt's safe to say, that I own many books on the subject of Bats. ... I can state here and now, (with certainty) that this book surpasses the others on its overall (up-to-date) content, and execution. In conclusion, the book is very well laid-out. It's very informative, and a fantastic reference, to re-visit again and again! ...Now if only a bat expert from the US (of Jon Russ' caliber) would publish a book similar to it (for North American species)...And soon! I'd be very happy! -- Al Milano * Bat Detector Reviews *Armed with this practical little book, researchers, surveyors and amateurs can go out into the night with the benefit of the knowledge and experience built up over the years by Russ and his colleagues. -- Andrew Branson * British Wildlife *Table of Contents1. Introduction 2. Bats and sound: Properties of sound; Signal acquisition; Representing and describing sound; How bats use sound 3. Equipment: Bat detectors; Recording sound 4. Call analysis: Sound analysis software; Automatic recognition software; Using sound analysis software; Measuring call parameters; AnalookW; Common analysis problems 5. Species echolocation guide 6. Species identification Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisEl volumen 9 completa la colección del Handbook of Mammals of the World y está dedicado a los murciélagos, la orden Chiroptera. En las últimas dos décadas, nuestro conocimiento sobre los murciélagos ha experimentado un notable incremento que queda plasmado en este volumen. Durante este periodo, las especies reconocidas han aumentado en más de 400, un número que sigue creciendo. Los murciélagos ocupan casi todos los hábitats de los seis continentes y su ecología es extraordinariamente diversa. Polinizadores y dispersores de semillas de miles de especies de plantas, los murciélagos son críticos para el mantenimiento de los ecosistemas tropicales.

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Book SynopsisHorses were domesticated about 6000 years ago on the vast Eurasian steppe. Michel-Antoine Leblanc presents an encyclopedic synthesis of scientific knowledge about equine behavior and cognition, providing experts and enthusiasts alike with an up-to-date understanding of how horses perceive, think about, and adapt to their physical and social worlds.Trade ReviewThe Mind of the Horse provides an extensive review of all the physiological studies on horse perception. It is an essential reference work for researchers of horse behavior. -- Temple Grandin, editor of Genetics and the Behavior of Domestic Animals

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Book SynopsisThis fully revised and updated edition of A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia is the only comprehensive guide to identifying all 382 species of mammals known in Australia. This book provides concise and accurate details of the appearance, diagnostic features, distribution, habitat, and key behavioural characteristics of all mammals known to have occurred in Australia or its waters since the time of European settlement. Each double-page spread provides all the information needed to identify an animal, a full-colour illustration of the entire animal, a smaller diagram of diagnostic features, a distribution map, and species description and measurements, including details of how to differentiate between similar species. Identification keys are provided for groups that are difficult to identify to species level, including keys to the genera of small marsupials, rodents, and bats, and all marine mammals likely to be washed on to an Australian beach: whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and the Dugong.Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroductionHow to use this field guideGeographic coverageIdentifying a mammal quicklyClassification and namesField charactersIdentification keysSpecies accountsPlatesDistribution mapsField techniques for identifying mammalsFinding mammalsField charactersHow mammals are measuredSubmitting recordsReferencesChecklist of Australian MammalsIdentification Keys to Australian MammalsNotes on using the keysIndex to keysIdentification keysHabitat typesAbbreviationsKey to distribution mapsSpeciesAccounts and PlatesMonotremesCarnivorous marsupialsBandicoots and bilbiesKoala and wombatsCuscuses/possums and glidersPossums and glidersBettongs, rat-kangaroos and potoroosRat-kangaroos and tree kangaroosFruit batsInsectivorous batsRodentsIntroduced carnivoresIntroduced herbivoresSeals Dolphins and whalesDugongFurther ReadingGlossaryIndex to Scientific NamesIndex to Common Names

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Book SynopsisIn this stunningly illustrated volume, Fuller provides a rich and moving portrait of elephants, exploring their natural history, the legends that have grown up around them, their unique place in art and literature, and their urgent need for protection today.Trade Review"Elephant truly is a remarkable work, replete with deeply moving and highly informative images and text."---Marc Bekoff, Animal Emotions"A beautifully illustrated tribute to one of the world's most persecuted species."---Brian Jackman, Travel Africa"Fuller's concise text, giving biological and historical background, is lively and informative."---Laurence A. Marshall, Natural History"[Fuller] has a gift of using simple and succinct language when conveying the most important points about elephants."---Lucy Brett-Crowther, International Journal of Environment Studies

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"A Choice Outstanding Academic Title of the Year""Every page-turn reveals beautiful photos and informative figures, making easy reading of diverse and fascinating material."---J. Burger, Choice"A good and well researched book that can bring us all new understanding to the importance of the role of predators in bringing a healthy ecosystem."---Steven Rutherford, British Naturalists Association

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Book SynopsisFully updated and with completely reworked text and images, this is the Fourth Edition of the acclaimed The Mammals of Australia. Strahan''s Mammals of Australia is the best book available on the subject, being the most definitive, comprehensive and up-to-date. It provides a written account of every species of native mammal known to have existed in Australia since European settlement, with 403 species covered in total. It is beautifully illustrated with more than 1,500 colour photographs, while each species account includes a detailed description of the animal and its behaviour. Species covered range from marsupials, monotremes and rodents through to bats, seals and whales.The new edition sees the addition of 14 newly described species and includes all the latest taxonomic treatments and many changes to names (common and scientific) and other features that have been accepted in the 14 years that have passed since the publication of the Third Edit

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Book SynopsisThis book is a fully revised and updated second edition of the only comprehensive guide to the mammals of South-east Asia, one of the world''s richest regions in terms of mammal diversity, where species new to science are still being described regularly, though there is increasing pressure on all of its wild mammal populations.From large mammals such as the elephant, big cats, dolphins and whales through bears, monkeys and badgers to bats, civets, rats and shrews, more than 550 species are described in detail, including key identification characteristics, habitat, behavior, distribution and status, accompanied by line drawings of footprints and details of anatomy, or other aspects of identification. Beautiful color plates depict nearly all species and their variations, while accompanying range maps provide up-to-date information on distribution. This field guide is essential for any naturalist or traveler visiting this special corner of Asia.Table of ContentsPreface to second edition Acknowledgements Introduction What is a mammal? Classification and naming How to identify mammals Colour plates Species accounts Finding and studying mammals Where to find mammals Conservation of mammals in South-east Asia Species Accounts Pholidota - Pangolins Insectivora - Gymnures, Moles, Shrews Scandentia - Treeshrews Dermoptera - Colugos Chiroptera - Bats Primates - Lorises, Monkeys, Gibbons Carnivora - Dogs, Bears, Red Pandas, Martens, Weasels, Badgers, Otters, Civets, Mongooses, Lisangs, Cats, Fur seals, Sealions, Seals Cetacea - Oceanic dolphins, Porpoises, Whales Sirenia - Dugong Proboscidea - Elephants Perissodactyla - Tapirs, Rhinoceroses Artidodactyla - Pigs, Mousedeer, Musk-deer, Deer, Cattle, Buffalo, Antelopes, Goats, Sheep Rodentia - Squirrels, Rats, Mice, Pygmy-dormice, Voles, Bamboo rats, Kha-nyou, Porcupines Lagomorpha - Pikes, Hares, Rabbits Glossary Selected bibliography Figure credits Index

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Book SynopsisThe most up-to-date and comprehensive photographic field guide to Madagascar''s mammals.The island of Madagascar is home to one of the most remarkable assemblages of mammals on earth, thanks to millions of years of isolation, and no other island or place on earth boasts such a combination of species richness and endemism. Field Guide to Mammals of Madagascar describes all native species found on the island, including bats, tenrecs, mice and lemurs, as well as a small number of introduced, non-native species. Detailed species accounts cover description and identification, habitat and distribution, behaviour and where to see; a detailed distribution map for each species is also included. Supporting chapters cover the island''s regions and habitats, threats to mammals, conservation and important mammal watching sites. The book is fully illustrated throughout with exceptional, high-quality photography, including species rarely photographed previousl

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Book SynopsisThe Eurasian beaver was near extinction at the start of the twentieth century, hunted across Europe for its fur, meat and castoreum. But now the beaver is on the brink of a comeback, with wild beaver populations, licensed and unlicensed, emerging all over Britain. As a keystone species, the beaver plays a vital role in the creation of sustainable wetland habitats through its damming activities, providing living opportunities for a broad spectrum of wildlife. Yet as proposals for reintroducing beavers are underway, re-establishing the beaver in Britain is still a controversial issue. This book presents a case for our future coexistence with beavers by providing factual information on this species that has now passed from national memory, covering the biology, behaviour and ecology of the Eurasian beaver in a British context, from their early history in archaeology and folklore to their contemporary field signs in the wild. This book familiarises readers once again, after almost 400 years of its absence, with the Eurasian beaver, providing essential information on its requirements in our human dominated landscape. This book is for those with a specific interest in beavers and their reintroduction, and for anyone with a general curiosity in natural history, ecology or animal behaviour. It can be used as a field guide to identify beaver field signs and observe beavers in the wild by wildlife surveyors or general land users, or as an introductory guide for anyone with an interest in beavers and how to recognise them. The authors have been actively involved in the study of beaver ecology, behaviour and reintroduction for many years. They have a first-hand knowledge of beavers in captivity and in the wild in both Britain and a range of other European countries.Trade ReviewThe authors provide an update on their experiences direct from the field, the quarantine area and the veterinary table. This fascinating book promotes a future co-existence with beavers in Britain by providing factual information on their biology, behaviour and the habitats they help to generate. This remarkable, unassuming animal has the capacity to help renaturalise our rivers, re-create areas of wetland, increase biodiversity, provide natural flood defence, protect soils and filter and purify our water. -- Nick Mott Staffordshire Wildlife This admirable little book tells you all you are ever likely to want to know about the beaver. It is illustrated with many photos of the animal and its habitat, with maps showing its distribution and tables of the plants it eats and the signs it leaves. Despite the text being only 44 pages long, the authors cover everything you might want to know about these fascinating rodents. Beavers are being re-introduced to Scotland and Devon but it is very unlikely that they will find their way to Derbyshire. So you will have to travel if you want to see them for yourself. My only encounter with beavers was on holiday in Estonia. Kath and I stopped in Soomaa National Park and wandered about in the forests finding both felled trees and huge beaver lodges. One evening while walking by a stream, we were startled by the amazingly loud 'slap' of a beaver's tail close to us. This loud noise warns the animal's family of danger. It's a remarkable and unmistakeable sound which certainly scared the life out of us! A ripple running down the stream was the closest we came to seeing one. One thing I had never realised was that Beverley in Yorkshire gets its name from the beaver. And another; that beavers don't eat coniferous trees though they sometimes fell them to use as lodge-building material. -- Derbyshire Wildlife Trust Derbyshire Wildlife TrustTable of ContentsChapters include: Introduction: folklore and history. Beaver Biology and Behaviours: taxonomy; identification; adaptations for a semi-aquatic lifestyle; adaptations for a life on land; breeding; social behaviour; defensive behaviours; chemical communication and scent marking behaviours; food processing and foraging behaviour. Habitat and Population Biology: life history; movements, activity and territoriality. Beaver Field Signs: teeth marks; felled and gnawed trees; grazing lawns/vascular plants; feeding stations; foraging trails; lodges and burrows; dams; canals; scent mounds; faeces; tracks/prints. Observing Beavers: remote camera trapping. Beavers in Modern Landscapes: beavers and the law; beavers as ecosystem engineers; the return of the beaver.

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Book SynopsisThis is a guide to finding tree-roosts. It is the result of the collaborative efforts of professional surveyors and amateur naturalists across Europe as part of the Bat Tree Habitat Key project, and represents a combination of firsts: It is the first time legislation and planning policy have been reviewed and put to practical use to define an analysis framework with clearly identifiable thresholds for action. Yet, despite its efficacy in a professional context, it is also the first time a guide has been produced that is equally effective in achieving its objective for amateurs. It is the first time such a method has been evidence-supported throughout, with summary reviews of each aspect of the roosting ecology of the individual 14 tree-roosting species, with illustrative photographs and data to which the reader has open access. It is the first time a repeatable analysis framework has been defined against which the surveyor may compare their results at every stage, from the desk-study, through ground-truthing, survey and analysis, thereby ensuring nothing is overlooked and that every result can be objectively compared. The survey and analysis framework itself is ground-breaking in that it may readily be adapted for any taxa; from moths, through amphibians, reptiles, birds and all other mammals. Used diligently, these methods will reward disproportionately and imbue the reader with renewed confidence as they quickly progress from beginner to competency. Thus, this book is for everyone who has ever wanted to find a tree-roost, or to safeguard against inadvertently damaging one.Trade ReviewThis work will serve as an invaluable reference for field biologists who might be called upon to conduct relevant survey work and environmental impact assessments. -- Danny A. Brass * National Speleological Society News *... for anyone wanting to learn more about this fascinating subject it will be the landmark work for many years to come. -- Mark Tunmore * Atropos *I would highly recommend this book for tree-care and ecology professionals. It brings into one place a wealth of knowledge and experience. The links to resources held on the BTHK are very useful. I know that it will be on the shelves of many ecologists but I would urge everyone to read it right through at least once and then dip back into it as you need. That way you will get the most from the knowledge being shared. -- Carol Williams, Director of Conservation, Bat Conservation TrustI would strongly recommend this book (and framework) to tree-care and ecology professionals, and it is potentially of broader interest within the scientific community. -- Stuart Newson, Senior Research Ecologist, BTO * BTO About Birds *Table of ContentsCh 1. Rationale -Introduction -Pre-existing published advice -Motivation -Objective -Proportionality Ch 2. Tree-Roosting Bats -Tree-roosting bat species -Wooded habitat and tree species -Sensitivity to isolation -Seasonal tree-roost occupancy and roost size -Roost heights -General tree-roost preferences Ch 3. Potential Roost Features -Introduction -The Disease and Decay PRF -The Damage PRF -The Association PRF Ch 4. Intelligence-Gathering -Introduction -Resources -Collation of the results Ch 5. The Desk-Study -Introduction -The desk-study objective -The test of 'reasonable likelihood' -To survey or not to survey Ch 6. Ground-Truthing -Introduction -Ground-truthing method -Ground-truthing interpretation Ch 7. Choosing Surveillance Methods -Introduction -Close-inspection -Remote-observation -Static-netting -Radio-tracking -Putting it all together -The proportionality text Ch 8. Close-Inspection -Introduction -Equipment -Health and Safety -Close-inspection method -Interpretation Ch 9. Remote-Observation -Introduction -Confounding factors -Equipment -Health and Safety -Remote-observation method -Interpretation Ch 10. Static-Netting -Introduction -Equipment -Health and Safety -Static-netting method -Interpretation Ch 11. Surveillance Effort -Introduction -Detectability variables -Surveillance periods and intensity therein Ch 12. Trouble-Shooting -Introduction -Fundamental principles -Inconclusive and 'null' results -Indirect damage and disturbance -Comparative assessment of environment -Late commissions -Unlicensed assessments -Getting a second-opinion -Fault-finding

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Book SynopsisBats have long been the focus of fascination, and sometimes fear: they move faultlessly through the darkness and spend the day hanging upside down in gloomy caverns and cracks – most at home where humans are least comfortable. Bats also represent a hugely important, numerous and varied group, accounting for 20% of all mammal species worldwide. Covering their biodiversity, ecology and natural history, A Miscellany of Bats offers a hoard of insights into the lives of these creatures. For over a quarter of a century Brock Fenton and the late Jens Rydell collaborated on projects involving bats. Here they bring together a collection of stories and anecdotes about bat research, brought to life by stunning photographs of these animals in action. Key topics include flight and echolocation, diet and roosting habits, and the complex social lives of bats. Jens and Brock also address issues of conservation and the interactions between bats and people, ranging from matters of disease to bats’ role as symbols, and our fixation with vampire bats. They explore how echolocation and flight shape batkind, from their appearance to where they go and why. Overall, this book is an entertaining and personal vision of bats’ central place in the universe. More than 150 species are covered.Trade ReviewA Miscellany of Bats is a well-written and interesting—and often absorbing—book, in which the authors convey their enthusiasm for studying this unique group of animals...Difficult concepts are simplified and the very readable text is largely accessible to general readers who might be interested in bats but have no particular background in either biology or natural history. -- Danny A. Brass, NSS NewsFascinating and wonderful...I can't find any fault with this book. And would recommend it to anyone, with just about any level of existing knowledge of bats. -- Al Milano, Bat Detecting blog...a thoroughly readable book of batty facts, and batty mysteries. -- Tony Atkinson, Mammal NewsIf you have an interest in bats (and what naturalist does not?), this book is a good read and a very accessible way into bat research... The book is written by renowned experts and with world class photography and is a valuable addition to a natural history book collection. -- David Skydmore, British NaturalistIt is not just that A Miscellany of Bats provides facts and figures, it is that there is so much more to know about bats than most of us realize, and both Brock Fenton and the late Jens Rydell convey that knowledge to the lay audience, the text filtering the multifaceted and often highly technical aspects of bat study through the lens of accessibility to the non-scientist. -- Animal Alliance of CanadaThree things set A Miscellany of Bats apart. For one, the authors are outstanding photographers. The images in this book are second to none. Second, there is a lovely exploration of the roles bats play in human cultures, and much of what is covered here is not in those other volumes. -- Daniel Riskin, University of Toronto, Mississauga * Quarterly Review of Biology *Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements 1. Introducing bats Wings and size Blind as a bat Catching and identifying bats Marking and tagging Brock’s initiation Jens’ start Box: What on Earth? 2. Bat wings and flight Wing anatomy White wings How fast do bats fly? Drinking Flying antics Box: Colour in bats 3. Seeing with sound The perils of generalization Basic echolocation Why echolocate? Echolocation and the faces of bats Box: Beam control and bite power 4. Echolocation: a window onto bat behaviour Biologists as eavesdroppers on bats Insect prey Bat communication Air traffic control Box: Echolocation and foraging 5. What bats eat, part 1 Learning how much a bat consumes Some bats eat birds Versatility What insects do bats eat? Specialized hunting Trawling Box: Diets of bats 6. What bats eat, part 2 Fruit-eating species Bats and flowers Box: The curious case of bananas 7. Vampire bats 8. Where bats occur and where they roost Temperature Bat roosts Box: Patterning in bats Lingering challenges Bats up north Box: Bat boxes 9. Social lives of bats Reproduction What is a colony of bats? Food availability and social patterns Box: Observational learning 10. How bats use space Box: Bats get around 11. Threats to bats Predators Mishaps Parasites Wind turbines Light pollution A world without bats? Global change Box: Keeping bats away 12. Bats and people Attitudes towards bats Bats and disease Bats as symbols 13. Bats as beings A last word to the bats Cast of bats Notes Index

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Book SynopsisSightings of one of our rarest, most elusive mammals are increasing in Britain and Ireland. Now, for the first time, readers can directly observe Pine Marten behaviour. Using ingenious photography, this book uncovers their secretive life, revealing how Pine Martens behave and interact with their world.

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Book SynopsisThis accessible guide fills a gap between basic books and more technical volumes. Using humour, rhymes and images it communicates in simple terms the techniques required when training for a bat licence.

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Book SynopsisThe book is a one-stop shop for ecologists undertaking site surveys for otters. It presents a natural progression of survey types and describes how to carry out initial field-sign surveys, selection of sites for camera-trapping, camera-trap deployment and interpretation of data.

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Book SynopsisA glorious wedding of science and art that celebrates the remarkable diversity of the life of the not-so-distant past.Trade ReviewThis book provides a unique review of the many unusual and nearly worldwide occurrences of sabertooths and their relatives over more than 50 million years. Though geared to the general public, it is also useful for professional paleontologists. . . . In sum, a useful survey of the literature and introduction to the overall biology of these dynamic animals. * Choice *Mauricio Antón is well known in the paleontological community for his amazing artwork, and his new book Sabertooth certainly doesn't disappoint. . . . This book not only features awe-inspiring paleoart, it is also a scholarly review of the primary literature that can be used as a professional reference. However, this should not dissuade the amateur paleontologist from reading this book, because Antón does a great job of explaining difficult concepts and making this material accessible to a broad audience.Table of ContentsPreface1. What is a Sabertooth?2. The Ecology of Sabertooths3. A "Who's Who" of Sabertooths4. Sabertooths as Living Predators5. ExtinctionsSuggested ReadingIndex

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewOrganized as a 'walk through time' and featuring species from 15 important fossil sites, this book is the most extensive and richly illustrated volume devoted exclusively to the Cenozoic mammals of South America. * BirdBooker Report *Horned Armadillos and Rafting Monkeys is a magnificent book, with splendid and exacting illustrations, a necessary update between two covers for specialists as well as for palaeontologists unfamiliar with South America. It is also an accessible book for the educated public. Darin Croft's writing project is unquestionably useful. Velizar Simeonovski has proposed a daunting challenge to the next generation of illustrators. -- Ephraim Nissan * Priscum, The Newsletter of the Palentological Society *This handsome book, written by a leading expert in South American paleontology, is profusely illustrated with maps, time charts, color photographs of fossils, and exquisite life reconstructions. The book is accessible to the general reader, and it will appeal to any individual, young and old alike, interested in the fossil record, as well as to students and scholars of paleontology who work in other parts of the globe. * Choice *An expert in fossil mammals from South America, this is Croft's magnum opus on his life's passion. * Twilight Beasts *"Given the wealth of unfamiliar animals the volume presents, even readers well versed in vertebrate biodiversity willnd it rewarding." * The Quarterly Review of Biology *"It is by far the best and most satisfying book-sized work that looks at South America's extinct fauna so far, and it is unique in its depth of coverage and quality of content. I encourage you to get hold of a copy yourself." * Scientific American Blog Network *"All these considerations make this book a great source of information for the non-specialist, and a nice summary for those researchers looking for a synthesis of Cenozoic South American fossil sites." * J Mammal Evol *Horned Armadillos and Rafting Monkeys is an excellent work that will be of interest to anyone that appreciates the extraordinary world of extinct and living mammals, extinction processes, and the loss of biodiversity, and the unique natural history of South America. The combination of scientific information and vivid paleoart reconstructions makes this book a valuable source for an appreciation of these ancient beasts and the ecosystems in which they lived. * Oxford University Press Journals *Table of ContentsPrefaceAcknowledgments1. Time and Geography2. Introduction to MammalsPart I. Early South American Phase and the Trans-Atlantic Dispersal Interval (TADI)3. Tiupampa, Bolivia 3.1 Pucadelphys andinus 3.2 Mayulestes ferox 3.3 Molinodus suarezi 3.4 Alcidedorbignya inopinata4. Itaboraí, Brazil 4.1 Epidolops ameghinoi 4.2 Colbertia magellanica 4.3 Protolipterna ellipsodontoides 4.4 Carodnia vieirai5. Gran Barranca, Argentina 5.1 Sebecus icaeorhinus 5.2 Niolamia argentina and Caroloameghinia mater 5.3 Utaetus buccatus 5.4 Thomashuxleya rostrata 5.5 Notopithecus adapinus6. La Gran Hondonada, Argentina 6.1 Otronia muhlbergi 6.2 Pseudhyrax eutrachytheroides 6.3 Puelia plicata 6.4 Trigonostylops wortmaniPart II. Late South American Phase7. Tinguiririca, Chile 7.1 Klohnia charrieri 7.2 Pseudoglyptodon chilensis 7.3 Andemys termasi 7.4 Santiagorothia chiliensis8. Salla, Bolivia 8.1 Paraborhyaena boliviana 8.2 Branisella boliviana 8.3 Anayatherium fortis 8.4 Trachytherus alloxus 8.5 Pyrotherium romeroi9. Chucal, Chile 9.1 Parapropalaehoplophorus septentrionalis 9.2 Peltephilus ferox 9.3 Theosodon lallemanti 9.4 Nesodon imbricatus 9.5 Altitypotherium chucalensis10. Santa Cruz, Argentina 10.1 Necrolestes patagonensis 10.2 Borhyaena tuberata 10.3 Hapalops indifferens 10.4 Steiromys duplicatus 10.5 Thoatherium minusculum 10.6 Interatherium robustum11. La Venta, Colombia 11.1 Neotamandua borealis 11.2 Cebupithecia sarmientoi 11.3 Megadolodus molariformis and Purussaurus neivensis 11.4 Miocochilius anamopodus 11.5 Granastrapotherium snorki12. Quebrada Honda, Bolivia 12.1 Acyon myctoderos 12.2 Hondalagus altiplanensis 12.3 Guiomys unica 12.4 Hemihegetotherium trilobus13. Arroyo Chasicó, Argentina 13.1 Protomegalonyx chasicoensis 13.2 Prolagostomus and Lycopsis viverensis 13.3 Neobrachytherium ullumense 13.4 Chasicotherium rothi 13.5 Typotheriopsis chasicoensisPart III. The Great American Biotic Interchange (GABI) and the Interamerican Phase14. Acre, Brazil 14.1 Neoglyptatelus originalis 14.2 Thalassocnus natans 14.3 Phoberomys burmeisteri 14.4 Trigodon15. Catamarca, Argentina 15.1 Andalgalornis steulleti 15.2 Thylacosmilus atrox 15.3 Vassallia maxima and Argentavis magnificens 15.4 Pronothrotherium typicum 15.5 Cyonasua brevirostris16. Chapadmalal, Argentina 16.1 Sparassocynus derivatus 16.2 Macroeuphractus outesi 16.3 Scelidotherium parodii 16.4 Platygonus marplatensis 16.5 Paedotherium typicum17. Tarija, Bolivia 17.1 Cuvieronius hyodon 17.2 Glyptodon reticulatus 17.3 Doedicurus clavicaudatus 17.4 Megatherium americanum 17.5 Protocyon tarijensis and Glossotherium tarijense 17.6 Smilodon populator 17.7 Onohippidium devillei 17.8 Macrauchenia patachonica 17.9 Toxodon platensisFurther ReadingAppendix 1. Alphabetical List of SpeciesAppendix 2. List of Families and Higher Taxonomic GroupsAppendix 3. Mammals of Tiupampa, Bolivia Appendix 4. Mammals of Itaboraí, BrazilAppendix 5. Middle Eocene ("Barrancan") Mammals of Gran Barranca, Argentina Appendix 6. Mammals of La Gran Hondonada, ArgentinaAppendix 7. Mammals of Tinguiririca, ChileAppendix 8. Mammals of Salla, BoliviaAppendix 9. Mammals of Chucal, ChileAppendix 10. Mammals of Costal Santa Cruz, Argentina Appendix 11. Mammals of La Venta, ColombiaAppendix 12. Mammals of Quebrada Honda, BoliviaAppendix 13. Mammals of Arroyo Chasicó, ArgentinaAppendix 14. Mammals of Acre (Brazil and Peru)Appendix 15. Mammals of Catamarca, ArgentinaAppendix 16. Mammals of Chapadmalal, ArgentinaAppendix 17. Mammals of Tarija, BoliviaGlossaryIndex

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Book SynopsisThis is the first book to collate and synthesize the recent burgeoning primary research literature on dog behaviour, evolution, and cognition. The author presents a new ecological approach to the understanding of dog behaviour, demonstrating how dogs can be the subject of rigorous and productive scientific study without the need to confine them to a laboratory environment.This second, fully updated edition of Dog Behaviour, Evolution and Cognition starts with an overview of the conceptual and methodological issues associated with the study of the dog, followed by a brief description of their role in human society. An evolutionary perspective is then introduced with a summary of current research into the process of domestication. The central part of the book is devoted to issues relating to the cognitive aspects of behaviour which have received particular attention in recent years from both psychologists and ethologists. The book''s final chapters introduce the reader to many novel approaches to dog behaviour, set in the context of behavioural development and genetics. This second edition recognises and discusses the fact that dogs are increasingly being used as model organisms for studying aspects of human biology, such as genetic diseases and ageing. Specific attention is also given in this edition to attachment behaviour which emerges between humans and dogs, the importance of inter-specific communication in the success of dogs in human communities and the broad aspects of social cognition and how this may contribute to human-dog cooperationDirections for future research are highlighted throughout the text which also incorporates links to human and primate research by drawing on homologies and analogies in both evolution and behaviour. The book will therefore be of relevance and use to anyone with an interest in behavioural ecology including graduate students of animal behaviour and cognition, as well as a more general audience of dog enthusiasts, biologists, psychologists, veterinarians, and sociologists.Trade ReviewThis book combines knowledge on dog behavior, cognition, evolution and even covers some societal aspects. As such, it should find an honorable place in the bookshelves of diverse reader audiences, from researchers interested in specific questions in animal cognition to deeply interested pet owners. * Dr. Kristina Noreikiene, Estonian University of Life Sciences, ISBE Newsletter *A must read for anyone with an interest in the history and recent advances of scientific research into companion animals, from veterinarians and behavioural practitioners to students of animal cognition and behaviour. * Victoria Ratcliffe and David Reby, Animal Behaviour *This is the first book to collate and synthesize the recent burgeoning primary research literature on dog behaviour, evolution, and cognition. ... I highly recommend it for all people interested in the behavior of dogs and some of their wild relatives. ... Each time I go to it I'm amazed by its breadth and the care with which Dr. Miklosi covers numerous diverse topics. * Marc Bekoff, Psychology Today *Table of Contents1: Dogs in historical perspective 2: Concepts in the study of dog behaviour 3: Methodological issues in the behavioural study of the dog 4: Dogs in anthropogenic environments: family and society 5: Comparative overview of Canis 6: The story of domestication: Archaeological and phylogenetic evidence 7: The emergence of phenotypic novelty 8: Intra-specific social organization in dogs and related forms 9: The perceptual world of the dog 10: Physical-ecological problem solving 11: Affiliative and agonistic social relationships 12: Communication, play and collaboration 13: Social learning and social problem solving 14: Change of behaviour in time: From birth to death 15: The organisation of individual behaviour 16: The genetic contribution to behaviour

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Yellowstone Wolves summarizes over two decades of hard work, involving dozens of dedicated scientists and advocates, to bring these wolves back to Yellowstone. . . . Their voices are skillfully combined to tell the many-faceted narratives in this marvelous book. . . . The overall success of this long-term effort provides information that will be of inestimable value to other restoration projects, sharing methods that can help wolves and humans coexist in a changing world and an example of what can happen if people unite to give Mother Nature a chance."--Jane Goodall, from the forewordTable of ContentsStudy Area Map A Note on Accompanying Video Robert K. Landis Foreword Jane Goodall Preface Douglas W. Smith, Daniel R. Stahler, and Daniel R. MacNultyPart 1 History and Reintroduction 1 Historical and Ecological Context for Wolf Recovery Douglas W. Smith, Daniel R. Stahler, Daniel R. MacNulty, and Lee H. Whittlesey Box 1.1 Wolf History and Surveys in Yellowstone National Park John Weaver 2 How Wolves Returned to Yellowstone Steven H. Fritts, Rebecca J. Watters, Edward E. Bangs, Douglas W. Smith, and Michael K. Phillips Box 2.1 To Reintroduce or Not to Reintroduce, That Is the Question Diane Boyd Guest Essay: Why Are Yellowstone Wolves Important? L. David MechPart 2 Behavioral and Population Ecology 3 Essential Biology of the Wolf: Foundations and Advances Daniel R. MacNulty, Daniel R. Stahler, Tim Coulson, and Douglas W. Smith 4 Ecology of Family Dynamics in Yellowstone Wolf Packs Daniel R. Stahler, Douglas W. Smith, Kira A. Cassidy, Erin E. Stahler, Matthew C. Metz, Rick McIntyre, and Daniel R. MacNulty Box 4.1 Naming Wolf Packs Daniel R. Stahler 5 Territoriality and Competition between Wolf Packs Kira A. Cassidy, Douglas W. Smith, Daniel R. Stahler, Daniel R. MacNulty, Erin E. Stahler, and Matthew C. Metz Box 5.1 Auditory Profile: The Howl of the Wolf John B. Theberge and Mary T. Theberge 6 Population Dynamics and Demography Douglas W. Smith, Kira A. Cassidy, Daniel R. Stahler, Daniel R. MacNulty, Quinn Harrison, Ben Balmford, Erin E. Stahler, Ellen E. Brandell, and Tim Coulson Guest Essay: Yellowstone Wolves Are Important Because They Changed Science Rolf O. Peterson and Trevor S. PetersonPart 3 Genetics and Disease 7 Yellowstone Wolves at the Frontiers of Genetic Research Daniel R. Stahler, Bridgett M. vonHoldt, Elizabeth Heppenheimer, and Robert K. Wayne 8 The K Locus: Rise of the Black Wolf Rena M. Schweizer, Daniel R. Stahler, Daniel R. MacNulty, Tim Coulson, Phil Hedrick, Rachel Johnston, Kira A. Cassidy, Bridgett M. vonHoldt, and Robert K. Wayne 9 Infectious Diseases in Yellowstone’s Wolves Ellen E. Brandell, Emily S. Almberg, Paul C. Cross, Andrew P. Dobson, Douglas W. Smith, and Peter J. Hudson Guest Essay: Why Are Yellowstone Wolves Important? A European Perspective Olof LibergPart 4 Wolf-Prey Relationships 10 How We Study Wolf-Prey Relationships Douglas W. Smith, Matthew C. Metz, Daniel R. Stahler, and Daniel R. MacNulty Box 10.1 Nine-Three-Alpha Douglas W. Smith Box 10.2 The Bone Collectors Ky Koitzsch and Lisa Koitzsch 11 Limits to Wolf Predatory Performance Daniel R. MacNulty, Daniel R. Stahler, and Douglas W. Smith Box 11.1 Tougher Times for Yellowstone Wolves Reflected in Tooth Wear and Fracture Blaire Van Valkenburgh 12 What Wolves Eat and Why Matthew C. Metz, Mark Hebblewhite, Douglas W. Smith, Daniel R. Stahler, Daniel R. MacNulty, Aimee Tallian, and John A. Vucetich Box 12.1 Bison in Wood Buffalo National Park L. N. Carbyn 13 Wolf Predation on Elk in a Multi-Prey Environment Matthew C. Metz, Douglas W. Smith, Daniel R. Stahler, Daniel R. MacNulty, and Mark Hebblewhite Box 13.1 Generalizing Wolf-Prey Dynamics across Systems: Yellowstone, Banff, and Isle Royale Mark Hebblewhite Box 13.2 The Predator’s Perspective: Biomass of Prey Matthew C. Metz Box 13.3 Lessons from Denali National Park: Stability in Predator-Prey Dynamics Is a Pause on the Way to Somewhere Else Layne Adams 14 Population Dynamics of Northern Yellowstone Elk after Wolf Reintroduction Daniel R. MacNulty, Daniel R. Stahler, Travis Wyman, Joel Ruprecht, Lacy M. Smith, Michel T. Kohl, and Douglas W. Smith Box 14.1 Wolves and Elk in the Madison Headwaters Robert A. Garrott, P. J. White, Claire Gower, Matthew S. Becker, Shana Drimal, Ken L. Hamlin, and Fred G. R. Watson Box 14.2 Ecology of Fear Daniel R. Stahler and Daniel R. MacNulty Guest Essay: The Value of Yellowstone’s Wolves? The Power of Choice Michael K. PhillipsPart 5 Ecosystem Effects and Species Interactions 15 Indirect Effects of Carnivore Restoration on Vegetation Rolf O. Peterson, Robert L. Beschta, David J. Cooper, N. Thompson Hobbs, Danielle Bilyeu Johnston, Eric J. Larsen, Kristin N. Marshall, Luke E. Painter, William J. Ripple, Joshua R. Rose, Douglas W. Smith, and Evan C. Wolf Box 15.1 Long-Term Trends in Beaver, Moose, and Willow Status in the Southern Portion of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Daniel B. Tyers 16 Competition and Coexistence among Yellowstone’s Meat Eaters Daniel R. Stahler, Christopher C. Wilmers, Aimee Tallian, Colby B. Anton, Matthew C. Metz, Toni K. Ruth, Douglas W. Smith, Kerry A. Gunther, and Daniel R. MacNulty Guest Essay: Old Dogs Taught Old Lessons Paul C. PaquetPart 6 Conservation, Management, and the Human Experience 17 Wolves and Humans in Yellowstone Douglas W. Smith, Daniel R. Stahler, Rick McIntyre, Erin E. Stahler, and Kira A. Cassidy 18 The Wolf Watchers Nathan Varley, Rick McIntyre, and James Halfpenny Box 18.1 Bob Landis’s Yellowstone Wolves Documentaries 000 Box 18.2 Seeing Wolves Robert Hayes 19 Conservation and Management: A Way Forward Douglas W. Smith, P. J. White, Daniel R. Stahler, Rebecca J. Watters, Kira A. Cassidy, Adrian Wydeven, Jim Hammill, and David E. Hallac Guest Essay: Making Better Sense of Wolves Susan G. Clark Afterword Rebecca J. Watters, Douglas W. Smith, Daniel R. Stahler, and Daniel R. MacNulty Acknowledgments Appendix: Species Names Used in the Text Literature Cited List of Contributors Author Index Subject Index

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Book SynopsisBased on a study in the Serengeti National Park, this title describes the vast impact of the lion and other predators on the great herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle for which the area is famous. It includes the author's findings on various aspects of lion behavior, including its social system, population dynamics, and predation patterns.Trade Review"This book conveys not only the fascination of its particular study of lion behavior but the drama and wonder and beauty of the intimate interdependence of all living things." - Saturday Review "If you have only enough time to read one book about field biology, this is the one I recommend." - Edward O. Wilson, Science "This is an important book, not just for its valuable information on lions, but for its broad, open, and intelligent approach to problems that cut across the fields of behavior, populations, ecology, wildlife management, evolution, anthropology, and comparative biology." - Richard G. Van Gelder, Bioscience "By the time the reader has finished this book, the Serengeti, its landscapes, seasons, and wildlife, takes shape in the mind as a complex and epic poem, each part a function of every other part and each part a function of the whole." - George Stade, New York Times Book Review"

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Book SynopsisFirst paperback edition of the natural history of the white polar fox, beautifully illustrated with colour photographs.

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Book SynopsisSpotlight: Hares is packed with eye-catching, informative colour photos, and features succinct and detailed text written by a knowledgeable naturalist.With their wild glare, swift turn of foot and secretive nature, hares are the rabbit''s mysterious and untameable cousin. Always a thrilling wildlife spot, hares have also been associated with human culture and folklore for many centuries - their associations with spring can be traced back to the druids. Focussing on the Brown Hare and its relative the Mountain Hare, RSPB Spotlight Hares offers exciting and up-to-date information on these incredible lagomorphs, with chapters covering their biology, evolution, natural history, behaviour, including courtship rituals, and ecology. Information on some of the more charismatic species of hare found elsewhere in the world and on hares'' other relatives, the rabbits and pikas, is also provided. Author Nancy Jennings discusses in detail HaresTable of ContentsMeet the Hares Evolution and Adaptations Relatives Around the World The Lives of Hares Breeding Machines Growing Up Fast Eat or Be Eaten Conservation of Hares Humans and Hares Folklore and Art How to See Hares Glossary Acknowledgements Further Reading and Resources Image Credits Index

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